Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has called for a snap election on April 28, seeking a stronger mandate for his Liberal Party as the country faces economic and political pressure from the United States.

Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau after his resignation last week, announced that Governor General Mary Simon had agreed to dissolve parliament. Canada was originally set for elections in October, but Carney emphasized the urgency of the moment.

“Donald Trump wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen,” Carney declared. The U.S. president has imposed harsh tariffs on Canadian goods and repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.

The election will be a showdown between Carney’s Liberals and the opposition Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre. The Liberals, in power for nearly a decade, have seen their popularity decline, but Carney hopes to rally support through national unity against Trump’s threats.

Key issues like inflation and immigration have taken a backseat as economic security and sovereignty dominate the election agenda. Experts warn that U.S. tariffs could have severe consequences for Canada’s economy.

On April 28, Canadians will elect 343 Members of Parliament under the first-past-the-post system. A party needs 172 seats for a majority. If no party wins outright, the one with the most seats must form a coalition or minority government.

Despite the stakes, Trump remains indifferent. “I don’t care who wins up there,” he stated, reaffirming his tough stance on trade and Canada’s political future.

With national identity at the forefront, Carney’s leadership and the fate of Canada’s sovereignty hang in the balance.

The Election Commission (EC) convened a high-level meeting today to finalize its decision to link Voter ID cards (EPIC) with Aadhaar. The move, the Congress alleged, comes in response to its complaints regarding discrepancies in Maharashtra’s electoral rolls between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

While the EC insists the Aadhaar linkage will be voluntary, it revealed that 65 crore voters have already completed the process. The commission emphasized that it would act under Article 326 of the Constitution and relevant Supreme Court rulings to implement this step.

The Congress has urged the EC to ensure no eligible citizen is denied voting rights while also safeguarding voter privacy. Concerns over identity verification in border districts were also raised, prompting the Union Home Ministry to collaborate with the EC on the issue of citizenship verification. The ministry is expected to propose solutions to ensure only genuine voters participate in elections.

In 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the Aadhaar law’s constitutionality but restricted its mandatory use for bank accounts and mobile connections. However, it permitted Aadhaar linking for government subsidies and welfare benefits. With voter IDs, Aadhaar would primarily help eliminate duplicate or fake voter registrations but would not serve as proof of citizenship.

The EC has set a three-month deadline to remove duplicate EPIC numbers using Aadhaar-based de-duplication. The Congress, which had accused the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s defeat in Maharashtra’s Assembly polls on abnormal voter increases, welcomed the move. It alleged that ghost or duplicate voters influenced the results.

Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, called for the public disclosure of Maharashtra’s 2024 electoral rolls to ensure transparency in additions and deletions. Meanwhile, technical consultations between UIDAI and EC experts are set to begin soon.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hosted the first meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on delimitation in Chennai, bringing together leaders from multiple states to push for "fair representation" in Parliament. The move comes amid concerns that southern states, which have successfully controlled population growth, may lose seats in the upcoming delimitation process.

Addressing the gathering, Stalin emphasized that the movement was not against delimitation but against its unfair implementation. "States that followed national population policies should not be penalized," he said, proposing a legal expert committee to challenge any unjust changes.

States Rally for Representation
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned that the proposal was like the "Sword of Damocles" hanging over the southern states, accusing the BJP of using it for "narrow political interests." Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy pledged to escalate the issue to the national level, with the next JAC meeting set to be held in Hyderabad. Odisha’s BJD leader Naveen Patnaik, attending virtually, backed the demand for constitutional amendments to prevent seat reductions.

BJP’s Counterattack
The BJP dismissed the meeting as a political diversion, staging protests outside the venue. Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai accused Stalin of "manufacturing a crisis" to distract from governance failures, while BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan called it a "corruption-hiding exercise."

Constitutional Crossroads
With the 42nd and 84th Constitutional Amendments freezing delimitation until 2026, the debate over representation is intensifying. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure no state loses its parliamentary strength, setting the stage for a major political battle ahead.

Israel’s military announced on Thursday that it had eliminated Rashid Jahjouh, the head of Hamas’s General Security Service, in an airstrike on Gaza. Jahjouh had assumed the role after his predecessor, Sami Oudeh, was killed in July 2024.

The General Security Service in Hamas-controlled Gaza is responsible for counterintelligence operations and providing intelligence to the group's leadership, according to the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee also confirmed that in a separate operation, Israeli forces had killed Ismail Abdel-Al, a key figure in the Islamic Jihad’s arms smuggling network. The Islamic Jihad group has fought alongside Hamas in the ongoing conflict.

The renewed Israeli offensive, which began early Tuesday, has resulted in significant casualties. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that at least 504 people have been killed, including more than 190 children, in the latest wave of strikes.

Hamas on Tuesday confirmed the deaths of several senior figures, including Essam al-Dalis, the head of its administration in Gaza, and Mahmud Abu Watfa, the interior ministry chief. Dalis, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, had led Hamas’s governance in Gaza since June 2021.

The latest escalation shattered a relative calm that had followed a ceasefire on January 19. However, with Hamas’s leadership suffering major losses and Israeli forces intensifying their air campaign, the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation.

Israel has vowed to continue its military operations, targeting key figures within Hamas and Islamic Jihad, while concerns over civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to mount.

India may soon consider joining another key multilateral alliance focused on the South China Sea, alongside the Quad. The emerging group, dubbed the "Squad," currently includes Japan, Australia, the US, and the Philippines, with plans to invite India and South Korea.

Philippines' Armed Forces chief, General Romeo S. Brawner, highlighted the move at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, citing the need to counter China's growing military assertiveness in the region. While the Squad remains informal, its members have engaged in joint maritime activities for over a year, emphasizing military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises.

Speaking alongside senior military officials from Japan, the US, Australia, and India, General Brawner underlined the Philippines' commitment to strengthening deterrence measures. He stressed shared concerns with India over China's aggressive stance, noting, "We have a common enemy... China is our common enemy. It is important that we collaborate, maybe exchange intelligence."

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, disregarding international rulings and infringing upon the sovereignty of regional nations, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam. The waterway is crucial for global trade, with an annual flow exceeding $3 trillion.

The General emphasized that the Philippines already shares military and defense ties with India. He intended to formally extend an invitation to India during his meeting with India's Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan. However, after the meeting, a senior Indian defense official told Reuters that there was no confirmation on whether the matter was discussed.

India’s potential entry into the Squad would mark a significant step in expanding regional security partnerships, complementing its role in the Quad and reinforcing its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Israeli military confirmed on Wednesday that it has initiated a "limited ground operation" in Gaza, signaling an escalation in its ongoing conflict with Hamas. The operation aims to retake control of the Netzarim corridor, a strategically significant area that Israel had previously vacated as part of a now-collapsed ceasefire agreement.

The ceasefire, which took effect in January, had provided a temporary pause in hostilities, allowing Israel to withdraw from the corridor. However, renewed violence and security concerns have prompted Israel to reassert its presence in the zone, which historically served as a military buffer, splitting northern and southern Gaza.

Israeli officials stated that the operation is meant to secure key logistical and military advantages in the ongoing battle against Hamas militants. Reports from the ground indicate heavy clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in the area, with airstrikes and artillery fire supporting the ground troops.

The resumption of hostilities has raised international concerns, with humanitarian organizations warning of worsening conditions for Gaza’s civilian population. The corridor had been a critical passage for aid deliveries, and its recapture by Israeli forces could impact the distribution of essential supplies.

Hamas has vowed to resist Israeli advances, with its spokesperson warning of a “fierce response” to the operation. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to broker a new ceasefire have stalled, with both sides blaming each other for violating previous agreements.

As the conflict intensifies, regional and global powers are calling for renewed dialogue to prevent further escalation. However, with Israel determined to dismantle Hamas' military infrastructure, and Hamas committed to fighting back, peace remains elusive in the war-torn region.

India and New Zealand signed a landmark agreement on Monday to institutionalize their defence and security cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, held extensive discussions on trade, defence, education, and agriculture.

Modi announced that both nations would develop a roadmap to enhance collaboration in the defence industry sector. He emphasized a shared commitment to combating terrorism, referencing the Christchurch attack of 2019 and the Mumbai attacks of 2008. "Terrorism in any form is unacceptable. Strict action is necessary against those responsible," Modi said.

India also raised concerns over certain unlawful elements in New Zealand engaging in anti-India activities. Modi expressed confidence in New Zealand’s continued cooperation in addressing such threats.

On trade, both countries agreed to initiate negotiations for a mutually beneficial free trade agreement. Modi highlighted opportunities for increased trade and investment, particularly in dairy, food processing, and pharmaceuticals.

The leaders also underscored their commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. Modi reiterated India's stance on development over expansionism, while Luxon reaffirmed New Zealand’s dedication to addressing strategic challenges in the region.

The talks reflected growing bilateral ties and a shared vision for regional stability.

At least 24 people were killed as the United States launched large-scale airstrikes on Yemen, targeting Iran-backed Houthi forces. President Donald Trump warned the Houthis that "their time is up" and cautioned Iran against further support for the group.

The strikes hit Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, killing at least 13 civilians, while 11 others, including four children and a woman, died in Saada, a Houthi stronghold. "The explosions shook the neighborhood like an earthquake, terrifying our women and children," a resident told Reuters.

The Houthis’ political bureau condemned the attack as a “war crime” and vowed to escalate their response. "Our armed forces are fully prepared to retaliate," they said in a statement.

Trump justified the strikes by citing the Houthis' attacks on Red Sea shipping, pledging to use "overwhelming lethal force" until the threat is neutralized. He delivered a direct message to the Houthis on social media: “YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON'T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!"

The former president also issued a stern warning to Iran: "Do NOT threaten the American people, their President… or global shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it!"

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed Trump's warnings, stating that the U.S. had "no authority" over Iran’s policies. "End support for Israeli genocide and terrorism. Stop killing Yemeni people," he wrote on X.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration reclassified the Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization,” banning U.S. interactions with the group. The Houthis have launched over 300 attacks on commercial and military vessels since 2023, claiming they are retaliating for Israel’s war in Gaza.

India has firmly denounced Pakistan’s repeated and “unjustified” references to Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations, asserting that such rhetoric will neither strengthen Islamabad’s claim nor obscure its track record of cross-border terrorism.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P. Harish, delivered a strong response during an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly plenary, held to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

“As is their habit, the former foreign secretary of Pakistan today has made an unjustified reference to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” Harish stated. He emphasized that Pakistan’s persistent attempts to raise the issue on international platforms would not alter the reality that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India.

He further criticized Pakistan for its deep-rooted bigotry and extremist mindset, which, he said, is globally recognized. “The fanatical mindset of this nation is well known, as also its record of bigotry,” Harish remarked, adding that Islamabad’s propaganda would not change historical facts.

The statement was in response to remarks by Pakistan’s former foreign secretary, Tehmina Janjua, who once again raised the Kashmir issue during the UN meeting. India has consistently maintained that Pakistan’s rhetoric serves as a diversion from its own internal challenges, including its support for terrorism.

India has long accused Pakistan of harboring and financing terrorist groups that operate across the border, destabilizing the region. New Delhi has reiterated that any outstanding issues should be resolved bilaterally, in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration, without third-party interference.

With its latest rebuttal, India has reinforced its firm stance that Jammu and Kashmir remains an integral part of the nation, and Pakistan’s attempts to internationalize the issue will continue to be met with strong diplomatic resistance.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Balochistan on Thursday to assess the security situation following the deadly Jaffar Express hijacking. The attack, carried out by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants, resulted in the deaths of 21 civilians and four soldiers. Sharif expressed solidarity with the affected families and praised security forces for their swift response.

Accompanied by key federal ministers, Sharif emphasized that the government remains committed to eliminating terrorism. His visit followed a two-day security operation in which all 33 militants involved in the attack were killed. The operation, led by Pakistan’s armed forces with support from the Special Services Group (SSG), Frontier Corps (FC), and Pakistan Air Force (PAF), neutralized the hostage crisis.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), revealed that the militants coordinated with their handlers in Afghanistan via satellite phones. He warned that no terrorist group would be allowed to destabilize Pakistan. “The Jaffar Express attack changes the rules of the game,” he stated, vowing a relentless crackdown on terrorism.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif condemned the opposition, particularly Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for politicizing the tragedy. He criticized the former PTI-led government's decision to relocate militants from the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) back into the country. Asif emphasized national unity in the fight against terrorism, asserting that Pakistan’s resilience would lead to victory.

The bodies of the victims will be transported to their hometowns after necessary formalities. The Jaffar Express incident marks a turning point in Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, with the government pledging decisive action against militant threats.